The Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement has signed a contract with Embraer for up to 20 Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft to equip the United Arab Emirates Air Force, marking the type’s first confirmed selection in the Middle East.
The agreement includes 10 firm orders and 10 purchase options, following an evaluation campaign that involved testing the aircraft under local operating conditions.
The UAE had been linked to the program for several years. Its flag appeared among potential operators in Embraer presentations of the C-390, although the manufacturer did not confirm any deal at the time.
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“This contract represents a significant operational enhancement to the UAE’s military airlift capability, strengthening force readiness and operational efficiency,” said Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, secretary-general of Tawazun.
“We are extremely proud that the United Arab Emirates has selected the C-390 Millennium to enhance its airlift capabilities,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, chief executive of Embraer Defense & Security.
The UAE already operates a diverse transport fleet that includes eight Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, eight Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules variants, seven Airbus C295 and five Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft, which also perform airlift missions.
The addition of the C-390 introduces a transport platform between turboprop aircraft and larger strategic airlifters, capable of missions including cargo and troop transport, airdrop operations, medical evacuation and humanitarian support.
The deal also includes plans to develop local maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities in partnership with a UAE-based company. Separately, Embraer signed an agreement with Generation 5 Holding to support the aircraft in the country, covering training, logistics and industrial participation aimed at building domestic support capacity for the fleet.
With the new agreement, the C-390 program now totals around 60 orders and commitments from 11 countries. Embraer did not disclose a delivery timeline, and the current production pace—so far totaling 14 aircraft delivered—may lead to a delay before the first unit is handed over to the UAE.
